Colours of Rajasthan, Pushkar Festival

SPECIAL PUSHKAR CAMEL FESTIVAL DEPARTURERead Jane & Bill's Rajasthan adventure !Jane emailed us this incredible 7-part story of their Rajasthan Pushkar Tour. A wonderful story with some amazing photos.Pt.1, Mumbai to JodhpurPt.2, Jodhpur to JaisalmerPt.3, Jaisalmer to BikanerPt.4, Bikaner to PushkarPt.5, My amazing BirthdayPt.6, Ranthanbore to AgraPt.7, Agra to Delhi(Problems viewing? - download free viewer here)Delve into one of India's best-known and most interesting regions, Rajasthan. Take in modern cities, arid deserts and lush jungles. Admire the beauty of the Taj Mahal, explore historic forts and visit stunning palaces on this fascinating journey.Colourful DelhiWe explore both the old and new parts of the city - you'll be amazed by the array of colour on display. We'll also take an exciting rickshaw ride through the colourful streets of the bustling bazaars at Chandni Chowk.Unforgettable experiencesVisit grand palaces, sweeping deserts and majestic forts. We'll take an exhilarating camel ride across the desert, spend a night at a dune safari camp and spot game on safari at Ranthambore National ParkThe colour & excitement of the Pushkar FestivalThe Pushkar Festival is an annual five-day camel and livestock fair and one of the world's largest camel fairs. The festival is held on the banks of the Pushkar Lake and is attended by thousands of people each year. Livestock is bought and sold and stalls abound with jewellery and textiles. The festival begins each year with a camel race followed by music and exhibitions

Accommodation & Meals

19 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 8 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners

Tour Guides

English-speaking locally based guides

English-speaking national guide throughout

Porterage

Porterage include where available

Sightseeing

Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Delhi

Explore the bustling city of Delhi, including visits to Jama Masjid (inside), Raj Ghat, Qutub Minar and Humayun Tomb. Take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk and an exotic spice tour of Khari Baoli Market, and drive past the Rajpath, Lutyen's Buildings and India Gate.

Visit Akshardham Temple and discover centuries of traditional Indian and Hindu culture throughout the complex and take a cultural boat ride to learn about thousands of years of Indian history.

Visit amazing temples and magnificent forts

Ride by Jeep up to the magnificent Amber Fort in Jaipur, followed by a tour of its many beautiful rooms within the fort including the amazing Hall of Mirrors. Here the light of a single match sets off a dazzling display as it is reflected by thousands of tiny mirrors that line the walls.

Explore Junagarh Fort and visit a camel breeding farm in the fortified city of Bikaner.

Visit Karni Mata Temple at Deshnoke, an unusual holy shrine and home for thousands of protected rats.

Half day tour of the desert city of Jaisalmer, including a visit to the magnificent Jaisalmer Fort and some of the city's historic sandstone havelis of the wealthy merchants

Spend 2 nights in Jodhpur, known as the 'Blue City' because local Brahmins have painted their homes blue to show their status to all. Our touring includes the Mehrangarh Fort and its beautiful palaces - Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal, and the marble monument of Jaswant Thada.

Visit the incredible marble Jain Temple at Ranakpur (of which no 2 of its 1,400 pillars are the same) and beautiful Kumbhalgarh Fort enroute to Udaipur.

Visit the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri which was built in 1569 but abandoned 15 years later due to lack of water. The sheer size of this city and its well-preserved state will astound you!

Take a city tour of Agra, including the imposing Agra Fort, known for its fine Mughal architecture.

Visit Agra's stunning Taj Mahal. A symbol of India, it is considered by many to be the most beautiful monument in the world.

The vibrant Pushkar Festival

Visit the famous Pushkar Festival. An annual five-day camel and livestock fair - one of the world's largest! The festival is held on the banks of the Pushkar Lake and is attended by hundreds of thousands of people each year.

Witness the artistic palaces

Morning tour of Udaipur, the 'City of Lakes', which includes the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and Sahelion-ki-bari.

Visit Garh Palace in Bundi, known for its artistic Rajput style architecture.

Discover diverse India

Excite your taste buds with a market experience, cooking class and dinner with a local family in Jaipur.

Experience a mysterious Palmistry session in Jaipur.

Trek through the sand dunes by camel between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer and stay overnight at the Manvar desert safari camp. Don't forget your camera to capture the stunning sunset over the desert dunes!

Discover the diversity of India during a jeep safari of a traditional Bishnoi Village.

Enjoy an afternoon cruise on the calm waters of Lake Pichola in Udaipur (subject to water levels) to visit the island of Jagmandir.

Explore Ranthambore National Park, home to the elusive tiger.

Tour Provider

Bunnik Tours

Number of Days

21

Price From

AUD $7,495

Start Location

India

End Location

India

Age Range

Avg. 50+

Group Size

4 to 20

Tour Style

Comfort

Tour Themes

Festival, Rail, Slow paced, Small Marine/Cruise

Physical Rating

Moderate

Incudes Flights

Yes

Tour departure dates

Start

End

Availability

Price

30 Oct 2019

19 Nov 2019

Guaranteed Departure

AUD $7,045

ItineraryExpand

Colours of Rajasthan, Pushkar Festival

Abbreviation: [B,L,D] Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Please note that for the Pushkar Festival we will be running multiple groups at the same time each with a maximum group size of 20.

Day 1. Depart Australia - Arrive Delhi

Welcome to Delhi, India's bustling capital!

Day 2. Delhi

A busy morning touring Old Delhi. We'll discover the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, take a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk and an exotic spice tour of Khari Baoli market. Enjoy a group welcome dinner this evening. [B,D]

Day 3. Delhi - Jaipur

This morning we depart for the 'Pink City', Jaipur. [B,D]

Special Experience: Visit a local market and interact with a local family during a traditional Indian cooking lesson, then join them for dinner.

Day 4. Jaipur

Our day in the Rajasthani capital begins at the majestic Amber Fort. Built from red limestone and marble by Raja Man Singh in 1592, the magnificent structure has influences of both Muslim and Hindu architecture. We'll also visit the Palace of Mirrors and the Palace of Winds (or Hawa Mahal), the City Palace Complex and the Jantar Mantar Observatory. [B]

Special Experience: India is famous for its palmistry tradition. Today we'll meet a local palmist who will read the lines of your hand for indications about your personality and destiny, based on Indian astrology.

Day 5. Jaipur - Bikaner

Our journey continues to Bikaner, a vibrant desert town with imposing forts and beautiful temples. This afternoon we explore Junagarh Fort and visit a camel-breeding farm. [B]

Day 6. Bikaner - Jaisalmer

This morning we travel to Jaisalmer, the 'Golden City'. We'll stop along the way at the unusual holy shrine of rats - Karni Mata Temple. This afternoon we'll tour the Jaisalmer Fort, the Jain temples and the intricate sandstone havelis of the wealthy merchants. [B]

Day 7. Jaisalmer - Manvar

Special Experience: We drive to Manvar, a beautiful, tented camp in the Thar Desert where we'll be spending the night. This evening we'll travel out to the sand dunes on a camel safari to experience the enchanting serenity. [B,L,D]

Day 8. Manvar - Jodhpur

Today we depart for the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. [B]

Day 9. Jodhpur

Special Experience: We begin the day exploring a traditional Bishnoi village by jeep. Famous for their passionate commitment to the protection of the environment, Bishnois typically live in distinct hut-like dwellings in groups around Rajasthan.

This afternoon we discover the sights of Jodhpur, including the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, the marble cenotaphs, Jaswant Thada and the Clock Tower. [B]

Day 10. Jodhpur - Pushkar

We continue on to Pushkar today, a prominent Hindu pilgrimage town situated on the border of the Thar Desert. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. [B,L,D]

Day 11. Pushkar

Pushkar Festival: Visit the much anticipated Pushkar Fair, where the state of Rajasthan comes alive with a riot of colours and a frenzied burst of activity. Very few fairs in the world can match the liveliness of this festival! [B,L,D]

Day 12. Pushkar - Udaipur

Today we travel south to Udaipur. En route we'll visit the marble Jain Temple at Ranakpur, famed for its 1,400 pillars (of which no two are the same). We'll also visit beautiful Kumbhalgarh Fort with its numerous palaces, temples and gardens. [B,D]

Day 13. Udaipur

We spend the morning touring the sights of this beautiful city. Highlights include the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and the Garden of the Maidens. In the late afternoon we'll cruise across Lake Pichola to visit the island of Jag Mandir. [B]

Day 14. Udaipur - Bundi

We spend the morning touring the sights of this beautiful city. Highlights include the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and the Garden of the Maidens. In the late afternoon we'll cruise across Lake Pichola to visit the island of Jag Mandir. [B]

Day 15. Bundi - Ranthambore National Park

Famous for its tiger population, Ranthambore National Park is our destination today. This afternoon we'll head out on a safari in search of these beautiful predators in their natural environment. [B,L,D]

Today we enjoy a short journey on the local train to Bharatpur to visit the deserted yet well-preserved Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. We'll continue to Agra this afternoon. [B]

Day 18. Agra

Watch the sun rise this morning over the breathtaking Taj Mahal, coating it in a pearly-pink mist. We'll also explore Agra Fort, known for its fine Mughal architecture, and Baby Taj, otherwise known as the Tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daulah. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. [B]

A note on Taj Mahal renovations: For the past two years the iconic Taj Mahal has been undergoing a mud-pack therapy treatment to clean and protect its ivory-white surface. Unfortunately it is expected that the main dome will be covered with scaffolding for the period of May to November 2018.

Day 19. Agra - Delhi

This morning we return to Delhi. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore before our group farewell dinner. [B,D]

Day 20. Depart Delhi

Enjoy the day at leisure before we begin our journey home this evening. [B]